Posted on: Friday, July 14, 2006
Bon dance season in full swing
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Megumi Otani, left, and Miki Takenawa dressed in yukata for the bon dance at the Moiliili Community Center earlier this month. Both are students at TransPacific Hawaii College in 'Aina Haina.
ANDREW SHIMABUKU | The Honolulu Advertiser
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Kanna Yawataya, 5, plays with her mother, Yasue Yawataya, at the bon dance at the Moiliili Community Center.
ANDREW SHIMABUKU | The Honolulu Advertiser
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It's bon dance season, a time to honor the ancestors in the Japanese tradition — and also to gather with neighbors and friends to chat and enjoy the night air.
If you're a veteran dancer, you can join right in as the procession encircles the yagura (the platform that holds the musicians and singers). If you're a newcomer, watch the folks in colorful kimono, yukata or happi coats and follow their movements.
Bon dances are free, but bring some cash for food and drinks.
Here are this weekend's events on O'ahu; see Page 44 for Neighbor Island bon dances:
Koboji Shingon Mission, 7 p.m. today and Saturday, 1223-B N. School St. 841-7033.
Shinshu Kyokai, 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, 1631 S. Beretania St. 973-0150.
Haleiwa Shingon Mission, 8 p.m. today and Saturday, 66-469 Pa'ala'a Road. 637-4423.
Waianae Hongwanji, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 87-762 Old Government Road. 969-3125.
